Following up on a previous news story, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has been criticzed by the The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), for having loaned 21 of its 36 Monet paintings to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts, the commercial art venue within the Bellagio Hotel and Casino of Las Vegas.
Former AAMD president Peter Morrin said, “AAMD is concerned about potential ethical conflicts arising between art museums and for-profit organizations.” The AAMD guidelines stipulate that “In any decision about a proposed loan from the collection, the intellectual merit and educational benefits, as well as the protection of the work of art, must be the primary considerations, rather than possible financial gain.”
Reportedly, the year long lease of the MFA's Monet collection to the Bellagio was worth a minimum of $1 million. The show is slated to end September January 5th, 2005.
This scrutiny comes during a time of finaincial redirection as the MFA continues evaluate operating costs during a three year economic downturn. This past June, the MFA laid off 23 staff members to help balance the budget while trying to raise money to meet the $425 million price tag of the multi-phase expansion.
Story courtesy of Jason Edward Kaufman for The Art Newspaper
Links:
Association of Art Museum Directors
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Image courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Belaggio Hotel and Casino, and the Belaggio Gallery of Fine Art.
